Flight Safety Information
April 20, 2016 - No. 077
In This Issue
MH370 Searchers Find Lost 'Towfish' Scanner 12,000 Feet Under Ocean
Bomb talk grounds plane at Albany International Airport
Donald Trump's Jet, a Regular on the Campaign Trail, Isn't Registered to Fly
Lawsuit: Allegiant Air pilot fired because he's too old
Pilots challenge licence for Irish-based transatlantic carrier
Birds, bumps and drones - Ireland's top air safety scares
Drone safety a concern before London air collision
Senate backs 'passenger friendly' bill that sets policy, funding for the FAA
Thailand appoints CAAi to improve ICAO compliance
Laser pointers 'do not damage the eyesight of aircraft pilots'
Australian Society of Air Safety Investigators -...2016 ANZSASI SEMINAR
CEO Mueller To Leave Malaysia Airlines In Third Quarter
To Expand Pilot Ranks, JetBlue Pioneers Ab-Initio Class In U.S.
PhD Research Request
Graduate Research:...Pilot Laser Study
MH370 Searchers Find Lost 'Towfish' Scanner 12,000 Feet Under Ocean
Experts hunting for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 have recovered their underwater sonar "towfish" that
was lost earlier this month thousands of feet below the surface of the southern Indian Ocean.
The yellow torpedo-shaped device, which scans the seabed for debris, was found floating at a depth of
more than 12,000 feet, officials in charge of the search said Wednesday in an update.
It was lost on April 13 when a connector on the towing cable attached to one of the search ships failed -
the second time in three months that scanning equipment was lost in the ocean.
The "towfish" device was winched to the surface on Monday. Mel Proudlock / ATSB
The SL Hydrospheric SLH-ProSAS-60, which was attached to an 1,800-pound weight to prevent it floating,
was discovered with the help of a remotely-operated submersible, the Remora III. It was found Monday in
"good condition" and was winched onto the deck of the Dong Hai Jiu 101, the Australian Transport Safety
Bureau (ATSB) said in a statement.
The weight, which was found nose-down and partly buried in sediment, was recovered separately, it said.
The "towfish" is one of three such devices being used to scan the ocean floor for the Boeing 777, which
was carrying 239 passengers and crew when it disappeared from radar on Mar. 8, 2014, while flying from
Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
In January, one of the devices was temporarily lost after it crashed into a 7,400-foot underwater volcano
before being recovered around a week later.
The enormous search operation has covered more than 80 percent of a planned 46,000-square-mile
search area - but so far it has not located the wreckage site.
The 1,800 pound "depressor" weight was found embedded in sediment on the seabed. Mel Proudlock /
ATSB
Separately, the ATSB said two further items of possible debris - one found in South Africa bearing the logo
of engine manufacturer Rolls Royce, and another found by hotel guests on a Mauritian island - arrived at
its laboratories on April 13 for forensic examination.
"Investigators from the ATSB and the Malaysian Annex 13 investigation team are examining the pieces to
determine if they originated from a Boeing 777, and in particular for any details which might link the
debris with MH370," it said.
On Tuesday, the ATSB gave details on how it concluded that two other pieces of debris found on the east
coast of Africa were very likely parts of the doomed airliner 9M-MRO.
Debris washing up in the region is consistent with computer models showing how ocean drift would carry
wreckage across the seas, according to officials.
The Australian Transportation Safety Bureau said last month that the two objects found in Mozambique in
December and February were "almost certainly from MH370."
On Tuesday, that authority gave more details to back up this assessment.
Image: Likely MH370 piece
Stenciling on a piece of likely MH370 debris found in December is compared with designs used by Boeing
and Malaysia Airlines. ATSB
It said the piece found in December by 18-year-old South African Liam Lötter was a part of a Boeing 777
"flap track fairing segment" - smooth pods under the wings housing the mechanisms that control wing
flaps.
Investigators found that "all measurable dimensions, materials, construction and other identifiable
features" were consistent with a 777, according to the ATSB.
A visible stencil on the part showing the serial number 676EB also matched the aircraft. Although the font
and color was not the original from manufacture, the bureau added, they matched the design used by
Malaysia Airlines for repainting.
The second part, found in February by American lawyer and adventurer Blaine Alan Gibson, also matched
all measurable dimensions and materials for a 777 tailplane, also known as a horizontal stabilizer, which is
found on the tail sections of airliners.
Both parts were "almost certainly" from MH370, the ATSB reiterated on Tuesday.
Despite a two-year investigation, only one piece of debris has been confirmed as coming from the aircraft -
a 6-foot-long wing flap that washed up on Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean.
Investigators said they would analyze another possible piece found on a Mauritian island in March.
The debris washing up on the East African coast is consistent with computer models showing how ocean
drift would carry the wreckage across the seas, according to officials.
MH370 vanished from radar on Mar. 8, 2014, while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239
passengers and crew aboard.
http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/missing-jet/mh370-searchers-find-lost-towfish-scanner-12-000-feet-
under-n558996
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Bomb talk grounds plane at Albany International Airport
A United commuter jet sits at the gate at Albany International Airport Wednesday morning after a
passenger spoke of a bomb on the flight and the pilot ordered the plane evacuated. (Skip Dickstein /
Times Union)
A United commuter jet sits at the gate at Albany International Airport Wednesday morning after a
passenger spoke of a bomb on the flight and the pilot ordered the plane evacuated.
COLONIE - A plane at Albany International Airport was evacuated Wednesday morning after a passenger
spoke about having a bomb, Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said.
As of 6:40 a.m., bomb dogs were on their way to the scene and the passengers and baggage were being
removed, Apple said.
The FBI anti-terrorism task force was on the way to the airport, a situation the sheriff described as routine
for such an incident.
The incident happened at about 6 a.m. on United Airlines flight 4941, which was bound for Newark, N.J.
The flight was scheduled to depart at 6 a.m. and arrive in New Jersey at 7:14 a.m.
"He uttered the words bomb to another passenger" who alerted the flight crew, the sheriff said.
The pilot immediately ordered all passengers and the crew off of the plane. "The pilot did what he was
trained to do," the sheriff said.
"We don't think there is anything to it," Apple said, but all passengers and luggage will be re-screened.
Apple said the passenger appeared to be suffering from some kind of mental health problem. Once
removed from the plane, he was "acting somewhat irrational,"
"He wanted to get a rise out of everybody, which he did," Apple said.
It was expected the man would be removed from the flight to undergo a mental health evaluation, the
sheriff said.
The flight was operated by CommutAir for United Airlines.
The incident appeared to have no impact on other flights at the airport. Jets arrived and department as
scheduled throughout the morning.
http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Threat-of-bomb-evacuates-plane-at-Albany-7259295.php
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Donald Trump's Jet, a Regular on the Campaign Trail, Isn't Registered to Fly
Donald J. Trump exiting his Cessna jet on Jan. 24. Records kept with the Federal Aviation Administration
show that the registration on the plane lapsed on Jan. 31. Credit Eric Thayer for The New York Times
Over the past several months, Donald J. Trump has crisscrossed the country making dozens of campaign
stops in places like Sioux City, Iowa, and Jackson, Miss., often in his sleek Cessna jet. There is just one
hitch: The plane's registration is expired.
Records kept with the Federal Aviation Administration show the aircraft's registration lapsed on Jan. 31.
Laura J. Brown, a spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration, confirmed that the plane's
registration was not in good standing and said the owner had not renewed it.
With few exceptions, aircraft must be registered in order to fly. Mr. Trump's plane could be grounded for
days, or even months, while the issue is sorted out. In the event of an accident, the company that insures
the jet could cite the lapsed registration to decline any claims.
The F.A.A. could also fine or assess other penalties against the owner, the operator or both; Mr. Trump
owns the plane through a limited liability company. Though it is unlikely that the agency would seek the
maximum penalty, flying with no registration could result in a civil penalty of up to $27,500, a criminal fine
of up to $250,000 and imprisonment for up to three years, it said.
Hope Hicks, a spokeswoman for the Trump campaign, declined to answer several questions about the
plane's registration or use, saying only that the renewal process "is just about complete." As of late
Tuesday, the F.A.A. had not received a registration renewal application for the Cessna, according to Ms.
Brown, the agency spokeswoman. She declined to comment on any action the F.A.A. might take.
Mr. Trump's Cessna jet could be grounded for several days, or even months, while the registration issue is
sorted out. Credit Mark L. Pollio
Although Mr. Trump has a sizable delegate lead in the Republican presidential primary race, his campaign
has often had organizational issues, at times losing ground against better organized opponents, chiefly
Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, as Mr. Trump has struggled to master the complicated rules governing the
selection of delegates.
Mr. Trump can still fly; most candidates typically charter a private plane. He also has four other registered
aircraft: a Boeing 757 and three Sikorsky helicopters, a fleet that has become a critical part of the
billionaire's image he has sought to project on the campaign trail. The Boeing, which has Mr. Trump's
surname emblazoned in big letters on the outside and gold-plated fixtures inside, has been used as a
backdrop at a number of his rallies.
But the aircraft weighs more than 100,000 pounds, and that creates limitations: It cannot land at many
smaller airports.
Mr. Trump has multiple aircraft, including a Boeing 757, which has been used as a backdrop at some of his
rallies. Credit Mark Makela for The New York Times
As a result, Mr. Trump often presses the 1997 Cessna 750 Citation X, which was designed to seat eight
people, into action. It has made hundreds of flights since he announced his plan to seek the Republican
nomination in June 2015, according to F.A.A. records reviewed by The New York Times.
Dozens of those flights were made after Jan. 31, when the registration expired. The plane flew as recently
as Monday, when it was used to transport Team Trump between La Guardia Airport and Buffalo for a
campaign event on the eve of the New York primary. On Friday, it flew to Plattsburgh, N.Y., and to
Hartford for rallies in those cities, according to radio transmissions broadcast by the plane that were
archived on a flight data website and reviewed by The Times.
The F.A.A. warned Mr. Trump that the Cessna's registration was set to expire, records show. On Dec. 1,
DJT Operations CX L.L.C., the limited liability company owned by Mr. Trump that operates the Cessna,
received a "final notice" from the F.A.A., according to records reviewed by The Times.
Then, on March 1, DJT Operations CX was notified that the registration had expired.
"The aircraft's registration and airworthiness certificates no longer support the aircraft's operation," the
agency wrote.
These notices, records show, were sent to National Registered Agents; it is not a company Mr. Trump
owns. It is the Delaware firm that was listed as the "registered agent" when DJT Operations CX was
incorporated in 2012, the year Mr. Trump bought the jet.
In an F.A.A. filing in 2012, titled "Aircraft Registration Application," National Registered Agents, its address
and its phone number were listed as the contact information for DJT Operations CX. The filing is one page,
largely filled out by hand, and is signed by Mr. Trump. His title, initially listed as "president," was crossed
out and replaced with "sole member."
The registration for Mr. Trump's four other aircraft are current, records show.
Flying privately is not cheap. The Trump campaign has paid a company that Mr. Trump owns more than $3
million for campaign-related travel since he announced his candidacy.
Registering an aircraft, however, is cheap: It costs only $5, and the registration is valid for three years.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/20/nyregion/donald-trumps-jet-a-regular-on-the-campaign-trail-is-not-
registered-to-fly.html?_r=0
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Lawsuit: Allegiant Air pilot fired because he's too old
A passenger aircraft with Allegiant Air's fleet is parked on the tarmac at St. Pete-Clearwater International
Airport. Allegiant's traffic accounts for 95 percent of customer traffic at the airport. A former pilot says he
was fired by Allegiant because he is too old and the airline, which has had a number of high profile
maintenance problems, wants younger, less-experienced pilots. [Times]
An Allegiant Air pilot who was fired in 2014 accuses the airline of age discrimination, alleging in a lawsuit
filed Monday that he was terminated to make way for younger pilots.
Charles E. Roberts filed suit in Hillsborough Circuit Court, seeking unspecified punitive and compensatory
damages for wrongful termination by the airline with headquarters in Las Vegas.
The suit said the airline is engaged in a continuing pattern of age discrimination.
Roberts, whose age and city of residence are not listed in the lawsuit, had worked as an Allegiant pilot for
seven years. He could not be reached to comment. His attorney, Jennifer Birmingham of Winter Park, did
not return a call Tuesday seeking comment.
Officials at Allegiant, which flies 95 percent of the passengers out of St. Pete-Clearwater International
Airport, also did not respond to a request for comment. The airport flew a record 1.6 million passengers in
2015.
The lawsuit said Roberts was subject to "unwarranted discipline" by the airline and ridicule by
management, especially regarding his "upgrade training." That led to him being denied promotions and
pay raises and "unsupported questioning of his professional integrity and, ultimately his termination."
Roberts' suit said he was told by an Allegiant training scheduler that the airline was "riding him out the
door" because it was "trying to get rid of the old ones."
A supervisor told a simulator instructor to fail Roberts, according to the suit.
"Such treatment was made for the purpose of replacing pilots over 40 years of age ... with significantly
younger, less-experienced pilots," the suit said. "Although (Roberts) was informed he was doing well with
... training, (Allegiant's) actions toward (him) were targeted to achieve his discharge."
The suit said the airline also gave him negative work evaluations and that other older employees were
"targeted."
Allegiant is one of the fastest-growing airlines in the United States and now connects the Pinellas County
airport with about 50 cities. The airline, however, also has experienced a series of highly publicized
maintenance events and emergency landings leading some to question Allegiant's safety. The airline says
it is one of the safest in the industry.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/airlines/lawsuit-allegiant-air-pilot-fired-because-hes-too-
old/2273864
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Pilots challenge licence for Irish-based transatlantic carrier
Washington to 'tentatively' approve Norwegian Air International's application for a foreign carrier's permit
Pilots' unions on both sides of the Atlantic accuse Norwegian Air International of using Ireland as a flag of
convenience to hire cheap labour
European pilots have vowed to continue to challenge a US decision to grant an Irish-based airline a licence
to fly there on the grounds that it will undermine aviation industry pay and conditions.
Washington's department of transportation has decided to "tentatively" approve Irish-registered
Norwegian Air International's application for a foreign carrier's permit, paving the way for it to offer low-
cost flights between the EU and US, including a proposed Cork-Boston service.
The move angered the European Cockpit Association (ECA), which represents pilots across the EU. Its
president, Dirk Polloczek, said the organisation would work with European and US colleagues to prevent
the approval being made permanent.
Undermining
Mr Polloczek accused the US and European Commission of undermining their own airline industries and
"destroy decent jobs and the social rights of their own citizens" by allowing the airline fly between the US
and EU.
Pilots' unions on both sides of the Atlantic accuse the airline of using the Republic as a flag of convenience
to hire cheap labour. The ECA said yesterday that the airline engages crew nominally based in Bangkok
through a company in Singapore. However, the staff work on flights to and from Europe. This allows it to
avoid EU employee protection legislation.
Crew
Norwegian Air International has always dismissed these claims. Bjorn Kjos, chief executive of its parent,
Norwegian Air Shuttle, says that it employs crew under Irish law.
The airline recently told the US department of transportation and the Irish Aviation Authority that only EU
and US citizens would crew its transatlantic flights.
The Scandinavian group registered its subsidiary in the Republic in order to get the benefit of agreements
that allow airlines licensed in one EU country to fly from any member state to the US.
Mr Kjos said it chose the Republic because it has a high standard of safety regulation and it is a centre for
aircraft.
www.irishtimes.com/business/transport-and-tourism/pilots-challenge-licence-for-irish-based-transatlantic-
carrier-1.2616518
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Birds, bumps and drones - Ireland's top air safety scares
There were over 200 near mid-air collision incidents involving Irish aircraft last year, new figures from the
Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) show.
A minority of the incidents were classified as medium or high risk, according to the regulatory body.
The IAA also recorded over 200 incidents of lasers being directed at aircraft, while birdstrikes accounted
for 285 safety incidents in 2015.
The most common safety issue logged with the IAA last year was a combination of system failures and
malfunctions in aircraft, reported in 951 incidents.
Air traffic management (575 incidents) was also one of the leading causes of safety occurrence reports
being registered with the regulatory body, while a loss of control within planes was blamed on safety
concerns in 243 separate incidents.
Engine failure occurred 141 times, according to the IAA, while "security related" problems triggered safety
concerns in 92 cases.
In 224 safety cases logged, the IAA says it does not know what caused the problem.
Incidents involving drones accounted for just two safety alerts, although the IAA says that it does not
know the full extent of drone use in Ireland.
However, a spokesman for Aer Lingus has told the Irish Independent that a number of recent incidents
involving drones have been reported by its pilots.
"Four sightings occurred in 2015 and two in 2016. Two sightings were close to Dublin Airport and the
others occurred outside of Ireland. All sightings are reported to Air Traffic Control and to the Irish Aviation
Authority."
A spokesman for the IAA declined to comment on the claims.
"It is IAA policy not to make public details of individual cases," said the spokesman. "Penalties for the
illegal operation of small unmanned aircraft are entirely a matter for the judiciary following prosecution.
Any unauthorised use may be referred to An Garda Siochana for investigation."
A spokesman for An Garda Siochana was unable to say whether there has been any investigation or action
taken against drone users in Ireland to date.
The IAA spokesman said that the agency deals with cases involving drones outside public attention.
"The IAA has engaged with those who have operated drones unsafely and come to our attention, with each
case dealt with on an individual basis and evaluated for its potential impact on safety," he said.
Britain's equivalent to the IAA, the UK Civil Aviation Authority, has issued more detailed guidance on the
risk provided by drones to aircraft and passenger safety. It has published figures showing 23 incidents
involving drones within the last six months, with over half amounting to serious "near miss" scenarios.
Last weekend, a drone struck a British Airways plane at 1,700ft as it approached Heathrow Airport. The
Boeing 727 was carrying 132 people.
http://www
.independent.ie/business/irish/birds-bumps-and-drones-irelands-top-air-safety-scares-34642772.html
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Drone safety a concern before London air collision
Angry Afghan villagers stone a crashed Predator drone.
This story was delivered to BI Intelligence IoT Industry Insider subscribers. To learn more and subscribe,
please click here.
Police in London are investigating reports that a drone collided with a British Airways plane as it was
approaching Heathrow Airport on Sunday. The airplane landed safely after being struck in the front of the
aircraft by the drone, according to The Telegraph.
If confirmed, this would be the first time that a drone has collided with a manned aircraft, although there
have been close calls before. In August 2015, a drone flew within 20 feet of a plane near JFK Airport in
New York City.
Airspace regulators all over the world have been increasingly worried about the potential of collisions
between drones and manned aircraft.
The FAA reported earlier this year that there were 583 encounters between drones and manned aircraft
from the end of August 2015 through January 2016. Most of these incidents occurred near airports where
drones are restricted from flying because of the risk of a collision with planes taking off or landing.
Regulators and drone manufacturers are both implementing measures to prevent these encounters.
Several of the top drone manufacturers now include geo-fencing technology in their products that prevents
drones from flying into pre-designated areas including restricted airspace. The FAA also launched its drone
registry earlier this year to help law enforcement identify the owners of drones that violate restricted
airspace around airports.
However, if more collisions occur between drones and manned aircraft, regulators may look at other
means to stop drones from flying near airports. One option would include deploying anti-drone weapons at
airports to ground any drones that fly too close.
These types of hiccups are expected as drone usage starts to become more common. Drones turned the
corner in 2015 to become a popular consumer device, while a framework for regulation that legitimizes
drones in the US began to take shape. Technological and regulatory barriers still exist to further drone
adoption.
Drone manufacturers and software providers are quickly developing technologies like geo-fencing and
collision avoidance that will make flying drones safer. The accelerating pace of drone adoption is also
pushing governments to create new regulations that balance safety and innovation.
Safer technology and better regulation will open up new applications for drones in the commercial sector,
including drone delivery programs like Amazon's Prime Air and Google's Project Wing initiatives.
Jonathan Camhi, research analyst for BI Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service, has
compiled a detailed drones report that forecasts sales revenues for consumer, enterprise, and military
drones. It also projects the growth of drone shipments for consumers and enterprises.
The report details several of world's major drone suppliers and examines trends in drone adoption among
several leading industries. Finally, it examines the regulatory landscape in several markets and explains
how technologies like obstacle avoidance and drone-to-drone communications will impact drone adoption.
Drones Report CoverBI Intelligence
Here are some of the key takeaways from the report:
We project revenues from drones sales to top $12 billion in 2021, up from just over $8 billion last year.
Shipments of consumer drones will more than quadruple over the next five years, fueled by increasing
price competition and new technologies that make flying drones easier for beginners.
Growth in the enterprise sector will outpace the consumer sector in both shipments and revenues as
regulations open up new use cases in the US and EU, the two biggest potential markets for enterprise
drones.
Technologies like geo-fencing and collision avoidance will make flying drones safer and make regulators
feel more comfortable with larger numbers of drones taking to the skies.
Right now FAA regulations have limited commercial drones to a select few industries and applications like
aerial surveying in the agriculture, mining, and oil and gas sectors.
The military sector will continue to lead all other sectors in drone spending during our forecast period
thanks to the high cost of military
http://www.businessinsider.com/drone-reportedly-collides-with-airplane-in-london-2016-4
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Senate backs 'passenger friendly' bill that sets policy, funding for the FAA
Passengers pull their luggage at Newark Liberty Airport in 2015.
Legislation that would increase airport security, require airlines to refund baggage fees when luggage is
delayed and speed the regulation of drones won approval in the Senate on Tuesday.
The bipartisan bill setting policy and funding for the Federal Aviation Administration is the second major
transportation bill approved by the Senate within five months, coming after a six-year surface-
transportation bill that passed both houses in November.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) called the bill "one of the most passenger-
friendly FAA reauthorization bills we've seen, literally, in a generation."
"This bill is the most pro-passenger, pro-security FAA reauthorization in recent history," Thune said.
"Travelers are frustrated, and this bill contains common-sense reforms."
But the Senate resisted the wishes of members who wanted to restrict airlines from further shrinking the
seat size and space between rows on commercial airlines. The bill moves on to the House, which voted in
committee last month to defeat the seat-size proposal.
The aviation bill approved by the U.S. Senate on Tuesday would boost airport security, including doubling
the number of the Transportation Security Administration's bomb-sniffing dogs. Here, a specially trained
dog stands at a security checkpoint at Lambert St. Louis International Airport on April 12. (Jeff
Roberson/AP)
[Shrinking seats: Senate beats back effort to regulate airline seat size]
A House version of the bill, approved in committee but yet to get attention on the House floor, would
radically restructure the FAA by spinning off 14,000 air-traffic controllers and about 24,000 other FAA
employees into a federally chartered, private nonprofit corporation.
House leaders are faced with a decision over whether to proceed with that controversial provision or
amend the bill on the House floor to bring it closer to the Senate measure.
The relatively short duration of the Senate bill - it would expire after about 18 months, at the end of fiscal
2017 - will give the Republicans who support shifting the FAA employees another opportunity to press for
it in the near term.
"We've given them a good bipartisan blueprint to follow and one that they ought to pass easily," said Sen.
Bill Nelson (Fla.), the ranking Democrat on the Commerce Committee. "If they don't, by adding
controversial or partisan measures, such as privatizing our air traffic control system, something the U.S.
Department of Defense is unalterably opposed to, if that path is taken in the House, it's going to be a big
loss for consumers."
The $7.1 billion Senate bill would also require airlines to state more clearly the fees they charge for things
such as prime seat selection, checked baggage, changes and cancellations so passengers are better able
to see the bottom line when they shop for the best ticket price.
Airlines would be required to refund baggage fees if the bags arrive more than six hours after a domestic
flight has landed or more than 12 hours after an international flight.
Airlines also would be required to tell parents at the time they buy tickets whether it is feasible for them to
sit with their child.
In reaction to last month's terrorist bombings at the Brussels airport, the Senate bill increases the vetting
of airport workers, expands the number of Transportation Security Administration viper teams that sweep
through airports unannounced to stop and search suspicious people, and doubles the number of the TSA's
bomb-sniffing dogs.
The bill also would require the FAA to take measures to prevent hackers from tapping into jetliner control
systems through entertainment devices brought aboard by passengers.
In addition, it would require that people who buy drones take an online test on their knowledge of
restrictions and proper handling of their aircraft. Success with the test would produce a printed verification
that the pilot could carry. The FAA already requires registration of drones.
"Drone safety is an increasingly important issue in our economy," said Thune, who shepherded the bill
through committee with Nelson's help.
Thune said the key was having "the right rules of the air" in place, and he cited an incident Sunday when a
drone apparently collided with a British Airways flight on final approach to London's Heathrow Airport.
[Drone collision with jet highlights growing aviation danger]
The bill also mandates that the FAA comply with an international ban on the shipment of lithium-ion
batteries aboard airplanes, a practice blamed for bringing down two jetliners when the batteries burst into
flames. The FAA already has endorsed a global ban by the International Civil Aviation Organization on their
shipment.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/senate-backs-passenger-friendly-bill-that-
sets-policy-funding-for-the-faa/2016/04/19/a01814b6-0599-11e6-b283-e79d81c63c1b_story.html
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Thailand appoints CAAi to improve ICAO compliance
Bangkok, Thailand. 20 April 2016 - The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has appointed
CAA International (CAAi), the advisory arm of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA), to help
strengthen CAAT's aviation safety oversight and compliance with the International Civil Aviation
Organisation (ICAO).
The CAAi project will involve a team of around ten experts from the UK CAA to work collaboratively
with CAAT to recertify Thai registered AOCs, to address the Significant Safety Concern (SSC) raised
by ICAO in 2015. CAAi will also conduct on-the-job flight operations training to CAAT Inspectors, to
help increase their core inspectorate competencies in accordance with international standards. The
final work stream includes full-scale ICVM preparation assistance. This activity will cover all of ICAO's
eight critical elements of a safety oversight system ahead of Thailand's impending ICVM safety audit
by ICAO.
The partnership was signed by Mr. Chartchai Tipsunave, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Transport,
Acting Director CAAT and Mrs Maria Rueda, Managing Director for CAAi, at a special ceremony held
at the Thai Ministry of Transport Headquarters. The ceremony was also attended by the UK Deputy
Ambassador to Thailand and representatives from the EU and ICAO.
After the ceremony, Mrs. Rueda said, "With almost 600,000 passengers flying to Thailand from the UK
alone in 2014 [Civil Aviation Authority, 2015], we are fully committed to assisting CAAT raise its level
of effective implementation and meet the international safety standards set by ICAO. Working
together, we are confident we can help lift the SSC and strengthen Thailand's aviation safety
oversight."
The project is expected to commence in May 2016.
For more information, please contact: matthew.margesson@caainternational.com
CAA International (CAAi) is a globally recognised aviation consultancy and is a wholly owned
subsidiary of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA).
CAAi offers advisory services, professional training and aviation examination services to help clients
deliver and promote best practice in aviation safety, security, economic regulation and consumer
protection, helping to create a flying world fit for the 21st Century
http://www.caainternational.com/
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Laser pointers 'do not damage the eyesight of aircraft pilots'
While pointing a laser beam at airplane cockpits can distract pilots, putting the crew and passengers at risk
of harm, there is no evidence to suggest the beams can damage their eyesight. This is the conclusion of an
editorial recently published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
Laser pointers may not damage the eyesight of pilots, but they can distract them.
A laser pointer is a battery-powered, hand-held device - commonly in the form of a pen or key chain - that
emits a low-powered laser beam.
In the US, the Food And Drug Administration (FDA) require that manufacturers limit the energy of laser
pointers to 5 milliwatts (mW) or less.
While there are no specific laws for laser pointers in the UK, the country's Health Protection Agency
recommend that the energy of laser pointers sold to the general public should be no more than 1 mW.
Directing a laser pointer at an aircraft is illegal in both the US and UK, but it seems this does not deter
some individuals from doing so.
According to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), between January 1st and February 13th, 2016,
there were 971 reports of laser pointers being directed at aircrafts - representing a 64% increase on 2015
figures for the same period.
And in the past 12 months, there have been more than 1,500 reports of laser pointers being directed at
aircrafts in the UK.
But how are pilots affected by laser pointers? Prof. John Marshall, of the Institute of Ophthalmology at
University College London, UK, and colleagues outline the possible risks in a new editorial.
Aircraft height makes laser pointers 'incapable' of harming pilots' eyes
It is common knowledge that a laser pointer should not be directed into a person's eye; the radiation from
the laser beam can cause damage to the retina, particularly if the beam is focused for prolonged periods.
However, in their editorial, Prof. Marshall and colleagues say that such damage can only occur at short
range, noting that a laser beam shone from a long range - such as from the ground to an aircraft that is
hundreds to thousands of meters in the sky - is "incapable" of causing irreversible harm to a pilot's
eyesight.
They explain that the beam from a laser pointer has to pass through the atmosphere, as well as the pilot's
windshield, in order to make direct contact with the eye.
The authors note that there has only been one reported case of retinal damage to a pilot as a result of a
laser pointer being directed at an aircraft.
The case referred to was reported in the journal Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance earlier this
year, detailing how a male pilot suffered retinal laser burn after a blue laser beam was directed at his
aircraft, which was around 1,300 ft (396 m) in the air.
However, Prof. Marshall and colleagues brand the case as "suspect," primarily due to how far away the
aircraft was from the ground, which they say would significantly reduce the laser's impact on the eye.
Directing laser pointers at aircrafts 'totally unacceptable'
While the researchers claim there is no evidence to suggest laser pointers directed at aircrafts can damage
a pilot's eyesight, they stress that the practice is "totally unacceptable."
They note that the beam from a laser pointer is normally "pitted" or "scratched" once it reaches an
aircraft's windshield, which can generate secondary and tertiary beams.
Explaining the danger this may cause, the authors say:
"In these situations, pilots tend to self-focus on a sudden bright light in the cockpit environment and may
be dazzled resulting in an after-image and almost certainly will be distracted.
Obviously, if such a distraction occurs at a critical time such as during landing then the result could be
devastating."
The following video, produced by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), highlights the dangers of
directing laser pointers at aircrafts:
Prof. Marshall and colleagues believe the current safety limits for laser pointers do not need to be changed,
which is contrary to views that have been expressed in the media.
Instead, they say there needs to be more focus on educating the public on the potential risks associated
with laser pointers.
The authors also note that there are some unscrupulous laser pointer manufacturers that are selling
devices that emit energy of up to 1,000 mW, which greatly exceeds safety limits.
The European Commission have asked the relevant bodies to set specific standards of consumer laser
products, which the authors say should enable unsafe products to be removed from sale.
"However, compliance by manufacturers will remain an issue," they add, "as will direct imports by the
public purchasing unsafe laser products over the Internet."
In 2014, Medical News Today reported on a study that found aircraft pilots and cabin crew are at higher
risk for melanoma skin cancer than the general population.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/309240.php
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Australian Society of Air Safety Investigators - 2016 ANZSASI SEMINAR
ANZSASI 2016 - NOVOTEL BRISBANE 3 - 5 JUN
NOTE: EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION CLOSES AT THE END OF THIS MONTH
The cut-off date for the discounted 'early-bird' registration is FAST approaching so complete your Seminar
registration and book in your travel and accommodation requirements for ANZSASI 2016 NOW!
OVERVIEW We believe that the annual ANZSASI Seminar is without doubt the best value for money
Aviation safety Seminar held in Australia.
* This year the Seminar will be held in Brisbane at the Novotel Hotel, Creek Street, from Friday to Sunday
June 3-5 (2016). The Novotel Brisbane, in Creek Street, is ideally suited being centrally located, and
adjacent to public transport. It is a short walk from Central Station allowing easy access from the airport
and the Brisbane rail network.
The registration fee includes a welcome cocktail reception on the Friday evening and delegate's dinner on
the Saturday night.
The Seminar also includes two full days of presentations on Saturday and Sunday.
* On the Saturday morning Mr Martin Dolan (ATSB Chief Commissioner) will open the Seminar as our
Keynote speaker. Our program also includes presentations from Prof Geoff Dell (CQU), Prof Graham
Braithwaite (Cranfield University, UK), and representatives from the ATSB, TAIC (NZ), DSTA, Safety Wise
Solutions, UNSW and a number of other key speakers from industry.
A wide range of subjects will be covered at the Seminar including:
* Human Factors, UAV, Rotary wing, Underwater recovery, Aircraft tracking, Cabin air quality, Noise
cancelling systems, Safety auditing, Airline training, Weather, Investigative challenges, Runway
excursions, Runway misalignment and, Investigating parachute accidents.
SEMINAR REGISTRATION AND HOTEL RESERVATIONS
The draft Seminar program will be available shortly. Information on the Seminar, Seminar registration and
accommodation at the Novotel Brisbane are available on the ASASI website, just follow the following link:
www.asasi.org
* Note: Once you open the link, you will see the internal links to the Seminar on the right hand side of the
ASASI home page. Click on the separate links for the registration details and the hotel bookings.
* You can register now for the Seminar with 'early bird' rates running up to 01 May. So if you register now
you can receive a significant discount.
* The Novotel is also offering discounted accommodation rates to Seminar attendees. (Be sure to include
the applicable discount code when making bookings).
ANZSASI 2016 WILL PROVIDE AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO LEARN FROM EXPERTS
AND LEADERS IN THE FIELD OF AVIATION SAFETY AND SAFETY INVESTIGATION
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CEO Mueller To Leave Malaysia Airlines In Third Quarter
Malaysia Airlines has granted CEO Christoph Mueller permission to terminate his three-year contract early
and to leave the airline in September.
Mueller is stepping down due to "changing personal circumstances," the carrier stated. "We fully
understand his reasons and respect his need to do this," Malaysia Airlines added. The company did not
provide further details.
The airline's board has begun a search for a new CEO, to include both external and internal candidates. To
ease the transition, Mueller has agreed to stay on as a non-executive director of the board. Chief
Operating Officer Peter Bellew has also been appointed to the board as an executive director, effective
immediately.
Mueller joined Malaysia Airlines on Jan. 1, 2015; became CEO-designate on March 1, 2015; and was
named managing director and CEO on May 1, 2015. He oversaw the establishment of a new entity,
Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB), which replaced the old company. The Malaysian government had taken
over the financially troubled airline to facilitate a reorganization.
The board stated that Mueller made a "significant impact in putting the airline on the desired trajectory
towards full recovery," and referred to additional "significant strategic decisions already in the pipeline
which [he] has made preparations for and will manage through."
Before Mueller's arrival in 2015, the airline announced significant staff cuts. He implemented fleet and
network cuts to make the carrier more efficient. There have been signs recently that the efforts worked.
Mueller has revealed that MAB achieved a net profit in February - its first monthly profit in years.
Khazanah, the state-backed fund that owns MAB, stated that, "While we would have wanted Mr. Mueller to
continue as planned," it respects his decision to leave. In their statements, Khazanah and the airline board
stressed that, in addition to the company turnaround, Mueller was involved in "developing talent for
eventual local succession."
aviationweek.com
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To Expand Pilot Ranks, JetBlue Pioneers Ab-Initio Class In U.S.
JetBlue Airways
In recognition of the need for a broader pipeline for new pilots, JetBlue Airways is gearing up to start a
program to train pilots with no flying experience, also known as ab initio. Though relatively small-scale and
on a trial basis, the carrier's Gateway Select program is an anomaly in the domestic airline sector-it's the
first program of its kind for a U.S. airline.
JetBlue plans to select the 24 finalists for the ab-initio pilot training program by May or June, with the first
class of six cadets to enter the 3.5-year training program by August. Six more students will start every
quarter, with all 24 underway within one year. Successful candidates will be offered first-officer positions
in the company's Embraer E190 fleet.
European and Asian airlines have been training new pilots for decades using the ab-initio approach, which
consists of taking a zero-time pilot and teaching him/her how to fly for a particular airline. The concept has
not been a priority in the U.S., where the pilot supply pipeline has historically consisted of ex-military,
collegiate and general aviation candidates. However, fewer available military pilots and new
congressionally mandated FAA rules have thinned the pool of desirable candidates, particularly for regional
airlines. These new rules require first officers to have an Air Transport Pilot rating rather than a
commercial pilot license, so they need 1,500 flight hours rather than 250. Military pilots qualify for the
right seat with 750 hr., and graduates of FAA-approved aviation collegiate programs with 1,000 or 1,250
hr., depending on the program.
"Desirable" is a key word in this context: The Regional Airline Association (RAA) says its members are
seeing an overall "decline in quality" in potential new hires. Last year, there were 16,675 applications for
5,417 positions; carriers made 3,823 offers but only 2,853 pilots were hired. RAA data show that the gap
between the desired number of pilots and those actually hired has been increasing by 3% per year since
2013, when the FAA's first-officer flight-time rules took effect.
Industry observers say major airlines are not yet feeling the first-officer hiring crunch, as there are
adequate numbers of regional airline captains transitioning up to mainline carriers. However, that supply
may be inadequate within 5-10 years due to mandatory Age 65 retirements for approximately 20,000
pilots.
Ab-initio programs in general could take on more importance if, as expected, traditional sources of pilots
dry up. JetBlue is using Gateway Select as a trial run. The airline plans to hire about 200 pilots per year to
fly its 260-aircraft fleet consisting of AirbusA320/A321s and Embraer E190s. Most come through what the
carrier calls the first of its seven gateways: applications from former military pilots or pilots from other
airlines. Including Gateway Select, there are now seven gateways: a path for aviation students at six
universities called University Gateway and an internal referral program called Blue Dart.
Warren Christie, JetBlue's senior vice president for safety, security and training, said the company received
more than 1,400 applications for 24 slots over a 2.5-week period in March. Cadets must pay $125,000 to
enter the program, but Christie noted that JetBlue has been "successful with some lending institutions to
help get access to some funding, and is working with others."
Once admitted to the program, cadets will spend four weeks in a "foundation" course at JetBlue, followed
by basic flight training at CAE's Oxford Academy in Phoenix for more than one year. Then they will
undertake E190 simulator training at JetBlue's Orlando, Florida, facilities, and progress to paid jobs as
certified flight instructors at CAE to build hours toward the ATP threshold. JetBlue expects that process will
take two years.
Of the applications, Christie says the demographics revealed "more than double" the industry average for
underrepresented groups applying with many discussing "their desire to prove they could be a pilot." Some
applicants were looking for second careers that are more challenging and exciting; and others, after
establishing themselves on solid financial ground, said they were now ready to commit to careers "they
always wanted to pursue."
aviation week.com
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PhD Research Request
Fellow Helicopter Crewmember,
This is a request for you to participate in a research study for my doctoral degree. The purpose is to study
the relationship between safety management systems, incidents and accidents, and company performance
for small helicopter companies with less than 5 aircraft and in the last 10 years. This research is in
conjunction with safety efforts by the US Helicopter Safety Team and the Helicopter Association
International.
There are series of questions regarding safety management systems, incidents and accidents, and
company performance. To participate, you must be between age 21 to 60, had some aircrew experience
with a small civil helicopter organization (less than 5 aircraft) and in the United States in last 10 years.
Current helicopter student pilots can participate.
Please follow the link below and fill but if you start, please finish the survey. It will only take about 12
minutes to complete.
The survey does not include any identifiable data about the crewmember, places of employment, or
OEM.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5VPCZZ5
Thank you very much for your participation!
Principal Investigator
Scott Burgess
Doctoral student at Northcentral University
S.Burgess4793@email.ncu.edu
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Graduate Research: Pilot Laser Study
Over the last few years, laser strikes occurring in commercial aviation have significantly increased. As little
research has been done in this area, we are interested in conducting research on the impact this is having
on pilots. According to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, the number of reported incidents have increased
ten-fold in the past decade. This trend looks like it could continue as handheld lasers are rapidly
increasing in power and decreasing in price.
Pilots who have experienced a laser strike while operating an aircraft have raised concerns ranging from
distraction, to not being able to fly the aircraft due to blindness. The reporting requirements currently for
laser strikes vary from country to country and data is limited.
The objective of this study is to determine what occurred during the incidents and how pilots have been
affected by a laser strike(s). The data will be analysed and then shared with airline industry officials,
regulatory bodies and various stakeholders. The objective is to provide research that can help us avoid or
prepare for these types of incidents.
The survey is completely confidential and no personal information will be shared. The survey will take
approximately 10-15 minutes and your participation can make a big difference in an area of growing
concern.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete this important survey.
https://city.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/pilot-laser-study
Balbir.chopra@city.ac.uk
Curt Lewis